U.S. wrong to duck global court

By Augusta Chronicle Editorial Staff

I am saddened by the Bush Administration's unsigning of the treaty which establishes the International Criminal Court.

In doing so, the U.S. is turning its back on millions of victims of genocide, torture, terrorism, and other crimes against humanity. The ICC will begin to prosecute humanity's worst criminals in July with or without the U.S. But the unsigning signals a basic disregard for the principles of international justice that could undermine both the current war on terrorism and future international frameworks.

In the wake of September's terrorist attacks, the U.S. can best demonstrate its commitment to fighting such atrocities by supporting the international structures of justice.